Cooking apparatus



July 30, 1935. J. L. SHROYER COOKING APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l m t w W b o a. J

L. Shroger;

His Attorney.

July 30, 1935. J. L. SHROYER 2,009,790

COOKING APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 Figslnetor: Jacob L Shroger;

W by His A't'torneg.

Patented Jilly 1935 PATENT OFFICE fcooxmc. APPARATUS Jacob L. Shroyer, Oak Park, Ill.,- assignor to 1 Edison General Electric Appliance Company,"

Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Ap plication April 13,

6 Claims. My invention relates to cooking apparatus,

more particularly to electric cooking apparatus provided with acooking plate or plates tor eifecting baking and like operations, and has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character.

Although my invention is not limited thereto,

it has special application to electric cooking apparatus provided with opposed electrically heawd. cooking plates, such as waflleirons, encl it for it further object the provision of improved means for accurately controlling the temoereturesof the cooking plates; and further, the pro vision of means for measuring cooking periods in accortlorioe with the temperatures maintained in the plates so that the cooking operations can precisely duplicated with the result that su= perior, imiformly cooked product is obtained.

enying drawings in which Fig. l is e pens let My invention further contemplates the provision of imoroved hinge means for connecting the cool: piates,-an i for receiving the elect2ricol conductors passed between the plates, where by the conductors are concealed and time tecretl from foreign matters, such as loat'l 1*, etc, e'mi also straws. 4

In carrying my invention irate efiect in one form thereof, I provide suitable temperature re sponsive moons, preferably arrange-ti to ope-c1 in accordance with the temperature of the T101581 heating plq te; for controlling the heating ele merits proi'nded for both of the plates so maintain sub-stmitiolly constant cooking tom peret res. Suitable time clement signal means are provided for measuring cooking perio' whereby the cooking operations con be accmetelg? duplicateil.

I t'm'tlier provide suitable hinge means co1o= meeting the plates, the hinge means being; pro

b View of on electric wame iron embodying my vention; Fig. 2 is a, vertical central sectional of the 'woflie icon of Fig. 1; is cpi'ari View partly in section and with portions brokenv so as to illustrate certain structural details; 4.- is e. fragmentary view illustrating a hinge com nesting the cooking plates of the .wailie iron of Fig. 1 arranged in accordance with my inventior relieved from excessive 1931, Serial No. 529,654

and Fig. 5 a diagrammatic view illustrating the heating circuits and. the' time element signal means arranged in accordance with my invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 have shown my invention in one form in connection with an electric waflie iron comprising upper and lower heatmg or cooking plates ill and l i pivotaliy connected together ot one edge by means of a hinge H2 whereby the upper plate can be rotated on the lower plate; These two plates are preferably cast from a, suitable-metal having at good heat conductivity, soc-l1 as el minum. It will be imifi'lEiiJihESB plates form eoo oerotiog mold sections for the rlome hatter. Preferably the plates will be provitieal with peripheral flanges and tie; arranged to coco-crate so as to provide 9. retaining wail for the better.

s)! to A is suitably secured. to the upper plate is plate can he eon? s heating open positions.

ham-lie m comprising wells defining suitable is? closed casing. siiowm, cos- 4 e of side walls i5 (1 3), end

i s. bottom well 33, ormed a suit W "1 e icase it, as

or; suitable legs n Elm of this shown,

crowded comporatively 'itrge cl color pertore streolmclezi by so u ttum d flange The cooking plate show-l1 rests o e lower end gooytion of te v fie-c e sect clownrig of? the well: as will l observed the edges top wall project sommet beyond the cor siries of the ve; icel wells of the ceeing ttliis zleng'e .tfwjoverhenes somewhat. The all is secured to the vertical walls 01-? the o by "w oi'zmow fi meek-etc 2%; watch eel to the flange in any suitable mom r, as by wel'aiin g, emits a flange it projecting eerily from the vertical wells of the casing o. horizontal direction by means of screw ias means 289.

The top well 25 is provided with mounting brackets 36 (Fig. 2) for securing the heating plates; These brackets exter crosswise oi the heating plates so that portions are received by the opening 22, and are secured at their ends to the "iiently moved; 7

eagles to the foaming supports under surface of the top wall in any suitable manner, as by welding. The heating plates are secured by means of screws 3i passed upwardly through apertures provided for them in the brackets and received in threaded engagement in the lower heating plate H. Preferably lock 'washers 32 will be arranged between the heads of the bolts and the brackets.

The cooking plates lll and H are heated by means of electrical heating elements 36 and 35 which, as shown, are cast in the metal forming the plates. While any suitable electric heating elements may be used, I prefer to use a sheathed wire element, such as described and claimed in United States Patent No. 1,367,341, granted to C. C. Abbott, dated February 1, 1921. Briefly, this unit comprises an outer metallic sheath 3B in which a helically shaped resistance wire 3'71 is embedded in a compacted, powdered, heat refractory, electrically insulating material 38, such as magnesium oxide. It will be understood that these units can be bent easily into any desired shape.

The elements 34 and 35, as shown in Fig. 3, are bent in substantially circular form, and it will be understood to such a diameter that each heating element will have a proper position with respect to the periphery of its plate It], H to give a substantially even distribution of heat throughout the cooking plates. Preferably, the heating ele-- ment for the lower plate will have a capacity slightly higher than-that of the upper heating element so as to compensate for the heat losses by conduction from the lower plate. This difference in capacity will be such that the plates will be maintained at substantially the same temperature.

The terminals 50 of the upper heating element are arranged adjacent each other, as shown (Fig. 3), and are brought out or project from the plate Ill at the rear or hinge side of the plate and substantially in the plane of the heating element. Likewise, the terminals ll of the lower element are brought out of the plate H at its hinge side. It will be observed, however, that the end portions of the lower element 35 are turned downwardly substantially at right angles to the intermediate curved portion of the element and project with their terminals into the casing i l.

The heating elements Bil and 35 are provided with suitable control means including a temperature responsive device 42 and a main control switch 3 interposed in the connections leading from a suitable source of electrical supply M,

shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. In order to measure the baking periods in accordance with the temperatures maintained in the cooking plates, a suitable signal device comprising a pilot lamp 45 and a time element controlling switch 46 therefor is provided.

The heating elements 34 and 35 are connected in parallel, as shown, diagrammatically in Fig. 4, and connected in parallel with these elements is arranged the pilot lamp 45.

External electrical, connections for the two heating elements and pilot lamp shown as a twin supply conductor 4'! are brought in at the lower wall l8 of the casing l4 through a bushing 48 formed of a suitable electrically insulating material, su'ch as porcelain. This bushingis received by a threaded member 50 provided for it in the bottom wall. As shown, a knot 5| is formed in the cord above the bushing to prevent any possibility of damage or strain to the mechanism within the casing by accidentally pulling on the cord.

One conductor 52 of this twin supply conductor .is connected directly with one of the terminals l! of the lower heating element, while the other conductor 53 of the supply conductor is connected with one terminal of the main control switch :33. This switch preferably will be of the toggle type and will be mounted Within the casing and on its front wall 5?. The operating member 53a of this switch is passed through a suitable aperture 5 provided for it in the front wall of the casing to the exterior of the casing where it may be con veniently operated. The other terminal of the toggle switch 63 is connected by means of a conductor 55 with one of a pair of fixed contacts 58 provided on the time switch t6 and from this contact with one of a pair of fixed contacts 58 provided on the thermostat 52 by means of a conductor 60. The remaining fixed contact 58 of the thermostat is connected by a conductor Bl with the second terminal ll of the lower heating element 35, while the remaining fixed contact 56 of the timing switch is connected by means of a conductor 62 with one side of the pilot lamp 55. The other side of this lamp is connected with the first terminal ll of the lower heating element by means of a conductor 63. The two heating elements 34 and 35 are connected in parallel by means of a pair of conductors 64 and 65 which are passed between the heating plates and are electrically connected with the terminals 40 and ll.

It will be observed that by reason of the foregoing electrical connections, the two heating elements 3 and 35 are connected in parallel, and the pilot lamp 65 is connected in parallel with the heating circuit. It will also be observed that the heating elements are controlled by means of the thermostat 62 independently of the signal lamp circuit, while the signal lamp circuit is controlled by the timing switch independently of the heating circuit; and also that the toggle switch $3 is arranged to control both of the energizing circuits provided for the heating elements and pilot lamp.

The temperature responsive device 42 for controlling the heating elements 34 and 35 to maintain substantially constant temperatures in the heating plates ill and l l, preferably will be of the form described and claimed in United States patent No. 1,743,073 granted to A. H. Simmons, dated January 7, 1930, although it will be understood that any suitable thermostat may be used. Briefly, this thermostat comprises the abovementioned fixed contacts 58, a pair of movable contacts 66 for bridging the fixed contacts and a temperature responsive element 61 for actuating the movable contacts. The temperature responsive element 67 comprises a bimetallic bar formed of two strips of metals having dissimilar temperature coeflicients of expansion, such as invar and Monel metal, securely brazed or welded together lengthwise. The bar 67 is rigidly secured at one end by means of screws (not shown) to the lower surface of the bottom plate I l and extends crosswise of the plate and in substantially parallel relation with it. Preferably, the bar 61 will be positioned between a pair of substantially parallel walls 61a arranged on and depending. from the lower plate I I. These walls protect the bar from air currents and reduce the temperature gradient between the plate I I and the bimetallic bar. The free end of the thermostat bar bears on one arm of a U-shap ed spring member 72, the other arm of which is seated on afixed knife-edge bearing l3, which bearing is secured in any suitable manner, as by means of screws, to the under surface of the heating plate. A temperature adjustment aoooyrao rod or shaft 14 is provided to cooperate with the thermostat bar 01 whereby the temperature maintained in the heating plates can be varied.

Secured to the base portion of the spring member 12 is a spring contact member 16 on the free end of which are carried the bridging contacts 66. As shown, the bridging contacts cooperate with the fixed contacts 58 so that when the contacts are in engagement the electrical circuit through the thermostat is closed, whereas when the contacts are out of engagement the circuit through the thermostat is open. A suitable stop member 11 is provided for the bridging contacts when in their open circuit position.

It will be understood that the U-shaped spring member 12 serves to snap the thermostat bar 61 quickly between its' two operating positions and thus to quickly open and close the switch contacts 58 and 66. i

In the operation of the waflie iron thus far described, it will be understood that the bridging contacts 65 are held in engagement with the fixed contacts 58 to maintain the heating circuits closed as long as the temperatures of the heating plates i0 and H are below a predetermined maximum value. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined maximum temperature the thermostat moves the contacts quickly apart .to open the heating circuit. After the heating circuit has been opened and the temperature of the heating plates, and consequently the temperature of the thermostat, begins to decrease thethermostat bar tends to move it back to its closed position until finally upon the occurrence of a predetermined minimum temperature, the thermostat will snap to quickly close its. switch contacts. In this manner' the heating circuits are controlled so as to maintain a predetermined heating plate temperature which is a mean between the maximum and minimum temperatures for which the thermostatic device is set to operate.

As has been pointed out previously, suitable time control signal means for measuring cooking periods is provided; this means, as has also been pointed out, comprises a pilot lamp 45 together with a time element switch 45 for controlling it. The lamp 45 is provided with a suitable socket 18 mounted in the casing 19 behind the front wall II. This wall is provided with a circular opening in which is fitted a suitable glass lens '80 which preferably will have some suitable color such as red. This lens is supported by means of a cylindrical-like member 8| arranged back of the lens opening and in front of the lamp socket i8.

The timing switch 46 for controlling the pilot lamp, as shown, is supported on the bottom wall 48 of the casing ill. This switch comprises the above-mentioned fixed contacts 55, a cooperating bridging contact 82 for controlling an electrical circuit through the switch and a timing clock work mechanism 83 controlling the motion of the bridging contact 82.

The bridging contact 82 is mounted on a suitable insulating supporting member 84 which is carried on one end of an arm 85 pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot member 86. The member 84 is forked at one end to receive an actuating pin 81 carried on one end of the arm 85, and is biased away from the pin toward an insulating stop and guide member 88 by means of a suitable compression spring 90. The stop member, as shown, is curved at one end, its left hand end as viewed in Fig. 5, so as to provide a stop for the bridging contact 82 when in their open circuit position. This member is also curved so as to guide the contact 02 to the fixed contacts 00 to close the switch. This member 80, as shown in Fig. 3, is mounted in a suitable supporting framework 0|, which also serves to support the fixed contacts 56 and the fixed pivot 86 provided for the arm 05. It will be observed that the mechanism thus far described constitutes a'toggle switch which operates to its open and closed circuit positions with a snap action.

The switch is opened manually by means of an operating member '92. This member is of angular form so as to provide two lever arms 92a and 921), as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5. The end of the arm 82a is fixedly pivoted by means of a pin 93 to the front wall I! of the casing; the other arm 02b is connected, preferably at a point intermediate its ends, to the free end of the lever 85 by means of a link 04. Pref- 92 is provided with a handle 85 accessibleon the exterior of the casing whereby the operator can conveniently operate the switch. This handle, as shown, is connected to the lever 92 by means of a pin 95 passed through a vertical slot 81 provlded for it in the front wall of the casing.

The bridging contact 02 is moved to its closed circuit position a predetermined interval of time after it is moved to its open circuit position by means of the clock-work mechanism 03 which is rendered eflfective by the operation of the lever 92 in opening the switch. In other words, the lever 92 performs-two functions, via, to operate the switch to its open circuit position and at the same time to render the timing mechanism effective to thereafter close the switch. The timing mechanism comprises a timing spindle I00 on which is mounted a cam Ill. This cam is formed with a sleeve I02 bearing on the spindle to provide a friction connection therewith whereby under certain conditions of operation the cam may be rotated independently of the spindle while under certain other conditions of operation it will rotate with the spindle. Mounted on the spindle to rotate with it is a gear 103; this gear is connected through a gear train, comprising gear wheels I04, I05 and I06, with the ratchet iii! of a suitable escapement mechanism. This mechanism, as shown, further comprises a balance wheel I06 and an escapement H0, the arms oi which cooperate with the escapement teeth of the ratchet I07. I

The energy for driving the clock-work mechanism is provided by means of a spring HI (Figs. 3 and 5). The spring I I l is a tension spring having its one end connected to the lever 85 intermediate its pivot and the end which is connected to the lever 92, and its other end connected with a member H 2 fixed to the casing. This spring member, as shown, biases the lever arm 05 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, toward a suitable stop H3 arranged on the bottom wall of the casing. A second tension spring H4 is arranged to operate the lever 92 in a counter-clockwise direction under certain conditionsof operation, as will be pointed out hereinafter in more detail. This spring has one end connected with the lower end of the lever arm 92b and its other end connected with a fixed member H5 (Fig. 3) secured to the front wall i! of the casing,

'Ihe'mechanical connection between the common operating lever 92 and the clock-work mech: anism comprises a lever H6 rotatably mounted on the winding spindle use. One end of this lever is connected by a link Ill with the switch lever 8'5 at a point between the pivots 8t and the point of connection of the spring M2; this link ill preferably will be connected with the lever M6 by a slotted connection M8 providing for limited movement of the connected end of the link longitudinally of the lever lit.

Mounted on the other end of the lever lit is an upright pin its on the upper end of which is rotatably mounted a pawl-like member (125 arranged at its opposite ends with teeth iii and E22. These teeth cooperate with the cam sec. As shown, the pawl-like member 62b is biased in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, that is, in a direction toward thacam, by means of a suitable spring 523 mounted on the pin M9.

The pawl member; as shown, is provided on its free end with a depending pin-like member ltd. A suitable adjustable lever tilt; is arranged on. an substantially coincident with the axis of the timing spindle is provided with an l to cooperate with the pin-lil e member lil l to adjust the timing periods, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The timing adjustment lever i251 is provided with an operating lever E26 pivotally mounted on the bottom wall of the casing at a point baclr of the timing mechanism; this lever is extended so as to project forwardly of the front wall i'i whereby it is accessible on the exterior of the casing. This lever is provided with a slotted arm ill in which is received the lever W5. it will be observed that by reason of this arrangement a relatively small arcuate movement of the lever arm E25 will impart a considerably larger arcuate movement to the lever l25. This is of advantage in that it is desirable that the control arm accessible to the attendant have 2. compare. tively small range of movement.

In the operation of the timing mechanism, when the common operating member 95 provided for the contacts and clock-work mechanism is depressed the lever arm '92 will be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, which operation moves thelever 85 in a clockwise direction; this operation causes the toggle switch to snap to itsleft hand position to open the switch; this operation also moves the lever H5 in the clockwise direction whereby the tooth 232 of the pawl lZd engages the cam EM and moves it in the same direction. As the arm lit and pawl W are thus moved, the spring 623 operates to move the pawl in a clockwise direction on its pin H9 so that the tooth E22 falls behind a detent we provided on the cam. It will be understood that during this clockwise motion of the cam the sleeve 102 will rotate on the winding spindle me, the latter being stationary.

The depressing movement of the handle 95 also tensions the springs l l I and l H! which thereafter will tend to return the various elements to their initial positions, shown in Fig. 5. The force exerted by the spring H4 tends to return the lever Q2 to its upper position, while the force exerted by the spring ill is transmitted to the link H7 and the arm H6 whereby the latter tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Its motion in this direction, however, is retarded by the timing mechanism by reason of the fact that the tooth I22 of the pawl member l2il in engaging the detent I25 will lock the lever H6 with the timing mechanism through the cam till; it will be understood that during this operation the frictional force between the spindle Y aooaveo lite and the sleeve W2 will be suficient to lock the spindle and sleeve together. The timing mechanism will thus operate until the pin 62 5 of the pawl engages the arm E2511 of the time edjusting lever 525. When this occurs the pawl will be moved outwardly to disengage the cam whereby the arm H8 will'be released, and then quickly moved in a counterclockwise direction to its initial position by the tension spring ill. This operation snaps the bridging contact $2 to its closed circuit position, and the operating member or is returned by the spring lid to its initial position with its operating member 95 at the upper end of the slot er. By reason oi the provision of the slot tie between the arms 92b and t l, the return'movenient of the amt $2 to the initial position does not interfere with the movement of the arm It will be understood that the abovedescribed operation may be repeated as often as is desired merely by depressing the operating handle To effect an adjustment of the timing period it is merely necessary to move lever w l which in turn moves the lever to adjust the posit. on of the stop arm Obviously, the adjustment of this stop arm controls the length of time that the ciocloworlr mechanism will operate before the pin l2 l engages the stop; oonsevquently the adjustment of the stop arm controls the period of time that the switch will remain open after it has been moved to its open position by the operation of the handle til.

The timing switch and pilot lamp are protected irom'excessive temperatures by means of a shield are interposed between them and the heating plates.

The hinge l2, as has been pointed out, serves toconceal and protect the conductors lid and @5- passed between the heating plates, and further, to protect them from excessive strains. The hinge comprises a pair of spaced lugs 33% formed on the upper heating plate it and a pair of cooperating spaced lugs it! formed on the lower heating plate and received, as shown (Fig. 4) ,between the spaced lugs ltd. Preferably the lugs will be spaced 9. distance apart greater than the distance between the terminals ll and ll of the heating elements, and preferably will be so arranged 0n the heating plates that they will be positioned on opposite sides of the points where the terminals project. Each of the lugs E32), itl is provided with an aperture for receiving a hinge pin 532. plate hinge lugs will be elongated in thevertical direction when the heating plate it is closed whereby the upper plate may move upwardly for a limited extent to allow for the expansion of the batter in baking.

The lugs Isl of the lower heating plate are joined by an arcuate shaped wall 5 33, which preferably is formed integrally with the lugs and the body of the plate as shown. This wall preferably extends through an arc corresponding to an angle of substantiallyfio".

The pin 832 is surrounded by a sleeve i320; formed from some suitable electrically insulating -material, such as porcelain. The conductors Ed and 65 as shown are directed upwardly from the terminalsfli of the lower heating element between the spaced hinge lugs and are coiled about the central portion of the sleeve l32a. One or more turns Eta, 55a of the conductors will thus be formed about the pin. From this central portion of the pin the conductors are separated and directed in opposite directions to the hills which Preferably the apertures of the lower join the plate ID. This member is provided with a passageway I34 a extending throughout its full length, this passageway terminating at its ends in apertures I36 provided in the hinge lugs and connecting the inner and outerfaces of the lugs. Suitable recesses I31 are provided in the outer aces of the lugs and connect the mouths of the apertures I36 with transverse recesses in which are provided the lugs adjacent the plate in to connect the outer andinner faces of the lugs; The member 534 is provided substantially at its central portion with an 7 aperture Mil opening into the passageway I34a. It is through this aperture that the lengths of the conductors Stand 55 passed from their coiled portions 54a. and 6501, are directed and passed in opposite directions to the apertures I35 through which they are passed to the recesses I31; the conductors then are directed through these recesses to the recesses I38 through which they are returned to the inner. faces of the lugs where they are connected with the terminals 40 of the upper heating element.

The member I34 engages the lower lugs, as

shown in Fig. 4, when-the upper plate is swung upwardly to limit the backward movement of the plate. 7

The hinge is completely covered by a pair of easing members I40 and MI (Fig. 2). The upper member Mil, as shown, is provided at its sides with ears I43 which completely cover the outer surfaces oi the lugs I30 and is provided with an arcuateshaped wall I connecting these cars; this wall extends through an arc corresponding to an angle of substantially 90. This upper casing member is secured to the upper plate Ill to move with it by means of a screw I45. The casing member III is secured to the lower plate 'II by means of a screw I46 and'also is provided with a curved or positions of theupper plate II), the casing mem-' bers completely enclose the hinge I2. When the upper plate ID is moved to its open position the arcuate portions I44 and I" merely told one over the other, and when the plate I is in its heating position the free ends of the casings overlap. Furthermore, the provision of the passageways for carrying the conductors from the lower plate I l to points close to the terminals 40 oil the upper heating element insures against any tendency for movement of the'conductors at the terminals which reduces a likelihood of loose connections and burning out at the terminals. An- .other advantage of this hinge arrangement is that it permits the using or relatively large conductors. Still another advantage is that the conductors are relieved against excessive strains by reason of the fact that the conductors are wound about the hinge pin; in other words, the stresses in the conductors which usually are set up by the opening and closing of the upper plate are reduced to a minimum.

In the operation of the waille iron it will be understood that the toggle switch 43 will be operated to connect the heating element and the pilot lamp circuits with the source of supply, it being assumed that twin supply conductor 4! is plugged in a suitable supply plug. When the iron is cold the thermostat 42 will be closed to complete an energizing circuit for the heating elements; at this time the switch 48 also will be closed so as to complete an energizing circuit through the pilot lamp 555. Under these conditions, the resistance elements will begin to heat up and the pilot lamp will be lighted. Eventually the heating plates will be heated to the maximum temperature for which the thermostat is set to open-the heating circuit, whereupon the thermostat will open this, circuit; the thermostat will then operate in themanner previously described to maintain substantially constant predetermined temperatures in the cooking plates.

The iron is then in conditicnto be used.

Inorder to cook a wafiie, a suitable amount of batter will be poured into the mold, the upper plate will be closed and the arm 95 will be depressed. This'op'eration of the arm'will openthe pilot lamp energizing circuit indicating that the.

cooking period has started, and will also render the timing mechanism efiec'tive to close the switch a predetermined interval of time thereafter. Upon the expiration of this period of time the timing switch will operate to close the pilot lamp circuit whereby the lamp will be lighted thereby indicating that the cooking period has been completed. It will be understood that the timing mechanism will be adjusted by its lever. I26 in accordance with the heating plate temperatures maintained by the thermostat so as to insure a,

completely cooked product. After the attendant has thus been signalled that the cooking period has been completed the baked waiile will be removed. After this another waffle may be cooked in the manner described, its timing period being measured as before by the timing mechanism.

The combination of the temperature responsive device for maintaining substantially constant temperatures in the heating plates and the time element signal means for measuring the cooking periods is important because it insures. a uniiormly cooked product. The waflles are evenly browned and are more attractive and tasty.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, 01' course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modificationsmay be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appendedclaims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1..A wailie iron comprising upper and lower heating plates, heating elements carried by said plates for applying heat thereto, a pair of spaced vertically arranged hinge lugs carried by said upper plate, a pair of spaced vertically arranged hinge lugs carried by said lower plates coopcrating with said first lugs, a pin directed between said pairs of lugs pivotally connecting said lugs so that said upper plate can be rotated on said lower plate, a pair of electrical conductors between said plates, said conductors being dirested from .said lower plate into the space bevided with passageways for directing said conductors in opposite directions one to each of said lugs provided on said upper plate, said last named lugs being provided with passageways extending nections between said base and said member for connection with the terminals of said heating element, and hinge means connecting 'said memher to said base comprising a pair of spaced hinge lugs on said base, a pair of spaced hinge lugs on said heating member cooperating with said lugs on said base, pin means pivotally connecting said lugs, means for directing said conductors from saidv base between said pairs of spaced cooperating hinge-lugs, a member connecting the lugs on said heating member provided with a conduit and an aperture opening from said conduit to a point between said pairs of lugs and through which said conductors are directed to said conduit, said conductors passing in opposite directions through said conduit to said lugs on said heating member, said last-named lugs having passageways through them from their inner to their outer faces and with passageways in said outer faces communicating with said through passageways and terminating at points adjacent said terminals for directing said conductors to said terminals.

3. Cooking apparatus comprising opposed heating plates, electrical heating elements for heating said plates, electrical conductors between said heating elements, spaced hinge lugs secured to one of said plates, spaced hinge lugs on the other plate cooperating with said first lugs on the outer sides thereof, said second lugs being .provided with recesses in their outer faces and with conduits between said recesses and their inner faces, said conductors being carried through said conduits and recesses, and cover members normally closing said recesses.

1. A waflle iron comprising upper and lower heating plates, separate heating elements for applying heat to said plates, electrical conductors between said plates, spaced hinge lugs mounted on said upper plate, spaced hinge lugs on the lower plate cooperating with those on said upper plate, means pivotally connecting said lugs, said lugs on said upper plate being provided in their outer faces with conduits terminating at one end at points adjacent'said terminals for the upper heating element and at their other end in conduits connecting with the inner surfaces of said lugs, a conduit member between the said lugs on said upper plate connecting said conduits and provided with an aperture opening to the space aooavao' between said lugs, said conductors being directed from said lower plate to said space and thence through said aperture and conduit member to and through the apertures and recesses in saidlugs on said upper plate and thence to the terminals of the heating elements of said upper plate.

5. Cooking apparatus comprising a cooking plate, an electrical heating element carried by said plate, a base for said plate, a pair of spaced hinge lugs carried by said plate adjacent the terminals of said heating element, a pair of cooperating spaced hinge lugs carried by said base and received between said first lugs, a pin pivotally connecting said lugs, an electrical insulating sleeve surrounding said pin, each of said first lugs having a recess in its outer face, a second recess connecting one end of said recess with the inner face of said lug at a point adjacent one of said terminals, an aperture within said lug connecting the other end of said recess with the inner face of said lug and electric conductors directed between said lugs and coiled about said insulating sleeve and thence directed through and received between the said lugs on said upper section, a hinge pin pivotally connecting said hinge lugs whereby said mold sections can be rotated relatively to each other, each of said lugs of. said upper section being provided with a recess in its outer face having one end terminating in a side of said lug adjacent said terminals and extending from said side to a point on the other side of said pivot pin adjacent the opposite edge of said lug, a recess on the side of said lug adjacent said upper section connecting the end of said first recess terminating in said side with the inner face of said lug, a transverse aperture through said lug connecting the other end of said recess with the inner surface of said lug, a pair of electric conductors between said heating elements directed from said lower plate between said spaced lugs where they are coiled about the central portion of said pin and means for directing said conductors in opposite directions from their coiled portions to said apertures through which they are passed to said recesses and throughwhich they are directed to said ter minals of said heating elements provided for said upper plate.

JACOB L. SHROYER. 

